Acquiring near-zero offset survey data

ABSTRACT

To acquire near-zero offset survey data, a survey source and a first streamer attached to the survey source are provided, where the first streamer has at least one survey receiver. A second streamer separate from the survey source and the first streamer includes survey receivers. Near-zero offset data is measured using the at least one survey receiver of the first streamer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/132,592 filed Jun. 3, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,467,264 issuing Jun. 18, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to acquiring near-zero offset survey data.

BACKGROUND

Surveying, including electromagnetic surveying or seismic surveying, is used to perform characterization of subterranean elements in a subterranean structure. Examples of subterranean elements of interest include hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs, fresh water aquifers, gas injection zones and other subterranean elements. Seismic surveying is performed by deploying seismic sources (e.g., air guns, vibrators, explosives, etc.) and seismic receivers (e.g., geophones, hydrophones, etc.). The seismic sources are used to produce seismic waves that are propagated into the subterranean structure, with some of the seismic waves reflected from subterranean elements of interest. The reflected seismic waves are received by the seismic receivers.

Similarly, electromagnetic (EM) surveying can use EM sources and receivers. One type of EM surveying is referred to as controlled source EM surveying (CSEM), in which an EM transmitter is used to generate EM signals that are propagated into the subterranean structure. Subterranean elements reflect the EM signals, with the reflected EM signals received by the EM receivers.

In a marine survey environment, survey hardware components (e.g., sources and receivers) can be towed through a body of water. To avoid interference from noise at the marine vessel that is towing the survey hardware components, the survey receivers on a streamer are typically located some minimum distance from the marine vessel. However, the survey sources are usually towed relatively close to the marine vessel to avoid possible entanglement issues between the towed source and receiver streamers. As a result, typical distances, in the in-line direction (which is the direction of movement of the marine vessel), is typically 50 to 200 meters away from the closest survey receiver of a streamer. Other reasons for towing a source close to the marine vessel is that a power cable that is used to power a source (such as a power cable to pump air to an air gun) may have a predefined maximum length. Also, the receivers are towed far away from the vessel so that vessel related noise (engine, crew, wake, etc.) is negligible.

The relatively large separation of survey source and survey receivers prevents measurements of a zero-offset or near-zero offset survey image. This can lead to reduced accuracy in processing of the survey data.

SUMMARY

In general, according to an embodiment, a method is provided to acquire near-zero offset survey data. The method includes providing a survey source and a first streamer attached to the survey source, where the first streamer has at least one survey receiver. Moreover, a second streamer, separate from the source and the first streamer attached to the source, is provided. Near-zero offset measurement can be made at the survey receiver of the first streamer attached to the source.

Other or alternative features will become apparent from the following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example marine survey arrangement including a marine vessel that tows seismic sources, mini-streamers attached to the seismic sources according to an embodiment, and main streamers.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process of determining and using near-zero offset measurement data, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible.

In accordance with some embodiments, a marine survey arrangement includes towing a survey source and a mini-streamer attached to the survey source, where the mini-streamer includes at least one survey receiver. Moreover, a main streamer is also towed by the marine vessel, where the main streamer is separate from the source and the mini-streamer. The at least one survey receiver of the mini-streamer is able to make near-zero offset measurements, which can be used in survey data processing to improve accuracy. Alternatively, more than one survey source, mini-streamer, and/or main streamer can be provided.

The term “mini-streamer” refers to a streamer that contains one or more survey receivers used for the purpose of acquiring near-zero offset survey data. A “main streamer” refers to a streamer including survey receivers for acquiring measurement data during a survey operation. A “streamer” refers to a structure that is used to carry survey receiver(s) through a body of water. In addition, a “streamer” is also intended to encompass a cable.

The term “near-zero offset measurement” refers to a measurement of survey data made at a survey receiver that is closer to the source than any of the survey receivers on the main streamer. The term “near-zero offset measurement” can refer to either a zero offset measurement, where the survey receiver is located at the same in-line position as the survey source, or a near-zero offset measurement, where the survey receiver is separated by some offset (either in the in-line direction or cross-line direction or both) by some distance that is less than the distance between the survey source and the closest survey receiver of the main streamer. The in-line direction refers to the direction of movement of the marine vessel towing the survey source(s) and survey receivers. The cross-line direction refers to a direction (in a horizontal plane) that is generally perpendicular to the in-line direction.

The concept of near-zero offset can be based on the bin size of the main streamer. The size of an output bin is the spatial interval along the main streamer for which survey measurements are made. For example, the output bin size can be 12.5 meters or 25 meters, which means that measurements along the main streamer are made every 12.5 meters or 25 meters. Note that the survey receivers of the main streamer can actually be located closer together, such as 3 meters apart.

In the digital context, the individual measurements from the survey receivers contained in each output bin are individually provided for processing. In the analog context, the measurement data from multiple survey receivers in each output bin are hardwired together to perform summation, with the measurement data based on the summation output for processing.

The digital approach has the benefit that measurement data from the survey receivers close to the marine vessel can be processed to remove noise. Another approach of removing noise or reducing noise is to tow the mini-streamer at a deeper depth than the survey source and main streamer.

In some cases, the mini-streamer can have multiple survey receivers. The closest survey receiver on the mini-streamer to the survey source in the in-line direction can be quite close, such as less than or equal to 10 meters. The farthest survey receiver on the mini-streamer to the survey source can be spaced apart by a distance that is the same as or almost the same as the closest receiver of the main streamer. In other implementations, some gap can be provided between the furthest survey receiver on the mini-streamer and the closest survey receiver of the main streamer. In the latter case, extrapolation of data from both the mini-streamer and main streamer would have to be performed to provide measurement data in this gap.

FIG. 1 shows an example arrangement in which a marine vessel 100 tows a number of main streamers 102, where each main streamer 102 carries survey receivers 104. The survey receivers can be seismic receivers (e.g., geophones, hydrophones, etc.) or electromagnetic (EM) receivers that have EM elements to measure electric and/or magnetic fields.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the main streamers 102 are towed by tow lines 106, and the closest end of each main streamer 102 is spaced apart (in the in-line direction) by some in-line offset X1 from the rear of the marine vessel 100. Note that not all the main streamers 102 have to be spaced apart by the same in-line offset X1. In alternative implementations, at least one of the main streamers 102 can be towed by a different in-line offset behind the marine vessel 100.

Also depicted in FIG. 1 are survey sources 108 attached to tow lines 110 so that the survey sources 108 are towed by the marine vessel 100. As depicted, the survey sources are separated by a closer in-line offset X2 (X2<X1) than the main streamers 102. The survey sources 108 can be seismic sources or EM sources.

In accordance with some embodiments, mini-streamers 112 are attached to corresponding survey sources 108. These mini-streamers 112 are separate from the main streamers 102, as depicted. Each mini-streamer 112 can have one or multiple survey receivers 114. Note also that the mini-streamers 112 are also separate from the survey sources 108. In other words, each mini-streamer includes one or more survey receivers mounted on a carrier structure that is separate from the carrier structure of the respective survey source (which can have an array of survey source elements).

As shown, the distance of the closest survey receiver 114 on the mini-streamer 112 to the corresponding survey source 108 is much smaller than the distance between the survey source 108 and the closest survey receiver 104 of any of the main streamers 102.

FIG. 1 further depicts that the marine vessel 100 has a controller 116 that can be used to process measured data from the survey receivers 114 of the mini-streamers 112, as well as from the survey receivers 104 of the main streamers 102. The measured data can be provided over communications links from the survey receivers 104, 114 to the controller 116. Alternatively, the survey receivers 104, 114 can store the measured data for later retrieval to process.

The controller 116 can be a computer that has processing software 118 executable on one or more central processing units (CPUs) 120. The CPU(s) is (are) connected to a storage 122 of the controller 116.

In alternative implementations, instead of providing the controller 116 on the marine vessel 100, the controller 116 can be a provided at a remote location, such as on another marine vessel or on land.

Although two mini-streamers 112 and four main streamers 102 are depicted in the example arrangement of FIG. 1, note that alternative implementations can use different numbers of the mini-streamers 112 and main streamers 102. For example, just one mini-streamer 112 or just one main streamer 102 can be used. In alternative implementations, any combinations of numbers of mini-streamers and main streamers can be used.

Various types of survey data algorithms can benefit from the near-zero offset measurements made by the survey receivers of the mini-streamers. For example, such data processing algorithms can include algorithms to perform multiple attenuations. In acquiring survey data, signal reflection can occur due to the water surface, where these reflections (referred to as multiples) can interfere with accurate processing of the measured survey data. Algorithms to perform multiple attenuation can include two-dimensional or three-dimensional surface-related multiple estimation (SRME) algorithms; a multiple attenuation algorithm with a Radon transform; an extrapolation algorithm; a migration velocity analysis algorithm; an imaging algorithm; inversion algorithms, such as AVO; and so forth.

The near-zero offset measurement data can also be applied to future data processing workflows that can include algorithms such as direct inversion and waveform inversion.

An example of how the mini-streamer measurement data can improve the output of a data processing algorithm, such as a two-dimensional SRME algorithm, is provided below.

In 2D SRME, surface multiples are predicted from the data by convolving the recorded data with itself. The predicted surface multiples are then subtracted from the data. The resulting data, with the surface multiples removed, can then be used in velocity analysis and imaging. The mathematical expression for 2D SRME is:

$\begin{matrix} {{d_{M}\left( {s_{x},r_{x},t} \right)} = {\int_{x_{\min}}^{x_{\max}}{{d\left( {s_{x},x,t} \right)}*{d\left( {x,r_{x},t} \right)}\ {x}}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1} \right) \end{matrix}$

where t denotes time, x is the in-line coordinate, s_(x) is the in-line (or x-) coordinate of the source, r_(x) is the in-line coordinate of the receiver, d denotes the data, d_(M) is the predicted surface multiple, * denotes convolution with respect to time, and x_(min) and x_(max) are respectively the minimum and maximum integration coordinates. Eq. 1 expresses that the surface multiples d_(M) at receiver r_(x) as caused by a source at s_(x) can be computed by convolving data recorded at the source and receiver locations and integrating the convolved data over the x coordinate. Since this is a 2D problem, the y-coordinates do not exist; the z-coordinates are assumed to be zero; if necessary wavefield extrapolation has been applied to achieve this.

The near-zero offset data, corresponding to x around zero (note that r_(x)−s_(x) is close to zero, x_(min)<0, and x_(max)>0) typically are not available in conventional acquisition and thus a gap exists in the integration domain. Conventionally, this gap can be filled by extrapolating the measured data, using, for example, differential moveout equations. However, this is not very accurate.

According to some embodiments, the near-zero offset measurement data as measured by the mini-streamer can be used. In this manner, all, or almost all, data required to compute the integral in Eq. 1 are available and the multiple prediction will be correct and not affected by possible artifacts because of the missing near-offset measurement data.

FIG. 2 shows an example flow diagram of a process according to an embodiment. Note that the process of FIG. 2 can be performed under control of the controller 116 of FIG. 1. In operation, a survey source (or multiple survey sources) is (are) activated (at 202) to produce survey signals that are directed into a subterranean structure underneath a sea floor. Portions of the survey signals are reflected by subterranean elements of the subterranean structure with the reflected survey signals received (at 204) by the mini-streamer survey receivers and main streamer survey receivers. The survey signals can be seismic signals (e.g., acoustic signals) or EM signals.

The received survey measurement data from the mini-streamer survey receivers constitutes the near-zero offset data (or part of the near-zero offset data). If necessary, the processing software can interpolate (at 206) the mini-streamer near-zero offset survey data to fill any gap (in the in-line direction) between the survey receivers of the mini-streamer and survey receivers of the main streamers. The near-zero offset survey data is then used (at 208) in a survey data processing algorithm, which can be a multiple attenuation algorithm such as those mentioned above.

The mini-streamer can be any type of streamer, including kerosene-filled streamer, gel-filled streamer, or solid streamer. Also, the length of the mini-streamer can vary. Example lengths can be lengths between 100 and 200 meters. The mini-streamers can also be equipped with steering tools, such as steering birds, and positioning equipment (including a high frequency source in the mini-streamer). The positioning system can be tied with the positioning system of the survey source, as well as that of the main streamer to enhance accuracy of relative positioning of the mini-streamer.

The mini-streamer(s) can be used in any type of seismic acquisition: traditional narrow azimuth acquisition, such as depicted in FIG. 1, or wide-azimuth and rich-azimuth acquisition. Wide-azimuth and rich-azimuth acquisitions would involve multiple marine vessels, where some of these vessels can tow just survey sources, in which case it would be advantageous to attach the mini-streamers to such sources. The mini-streamers can also be used in coil shooting. Coil shooting involves a source vessel (and therefore the streamers) traveling on a track of concentric circles, or coils, rather than on traditional straight line tracks. Coil shooting allows for acquisition of data from all azimuths (arrival angles) while using a single vessel and otherwise conventional acquisition configuration (the circle diameters are large enough to ensure that conventional configurations are not compromised.

The mini-streamers can be used with conventional survey sources. However, the mini-streamers can also be used with other types of source configurations, such as over-under sources. Finally, the mini-streamers can be utilized in over-under acquisition.

In situations where just one mini-streamer is used, zero-offset or near-zero offset measurement can be made, but only in the in-line direction and not cross-line direction. If two mini-streamers are used, then some small amount of cross-line measurement can be made, where the signals due to the source of a first mini-streamer are detected by survey receivers on a second mini-streamer that is spaced apart by some distance from the first mini-streamer in the cross-line direction.

Additionally, for enhanced cross-line measurements, it is possible to tow more mini-streamers at other cross-line offsets with respect to the survey source. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1, additional mini-streamers 150 can be positioned a relatively large distance away (in the cross-line direction) from the seismic sources 108. Instead of being towed by the same marine vessel 100, the additional mini-streamers 150 can be towed by at least one other marine vessel (152 in FIG. 1).

Instructions of software described above (including processing software 118 of FIG. 1) are loaded for execution on a processor (such as one or more CPUs 120 in FIG. 1). The processor includes microprocessors, microcontrollers, processor modules or subsystems (including one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers), or other control or computing devices. A “processor” can refer to a single component or to plural components.

Data and instructions (of the software) are stored in respective storage devices, which are implemented as one or more computer-readable or computer-usable storage media. The storage media include different forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) and flash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy and removable disks; other magnetic media including tape; and optical media such as compact disks (CDs) or digital video disks (DVDs).

While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to perform marine surveying, comprising: a marine vessel; a survey source towed by the marine vessel; a mini-streamer attached to the survey source, wherein the mini-streamer includes at least one survey receiver; and a main streamer towed by the marine vessel, wherein the main streamer has a plurality of survey receivers, and the main streamer is separate from the survey source and the mini-streamer, wherein the at least one survey receiver of the mini-streamer is configured to measure near-zero offset data.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mini-streamer is separate from the survey source.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the survey source is spaced apart, in an in-line direction, from a closest survey receiver of the main streamer by a first distance, and wherein the survey source is spaced apart, in the in-line direction, from the at least one survey receiver of the mini-streamer by a second distance less than the first distance.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller to apply an algorithm to process survey data received by the at least one survey receiver of the mini-streamer and the survey receivers of the main streamer.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the algorithm is a multiple attenuation algorithm.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second survey source and a second mini-streamer attached to the second survey source, wherein the second mini-streamer comprises at least another survey receiver to measure near-zero offset data.
 7. An article comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that when executed cause a computer to: receive near-zero offset data from a survey receiver of a first streamer attached to a first survey source; receive measurement data from survey receivers of a second streamer separate from the first streamer and the first survey source; and process the measurement data from the survey receivers of the first streamer and second streamer.
 8. The article of claim 7, wherein the instructions when executed cause the computer to further apply a multiple attenuation algorithm that uses the near-zero offset data from the survey receiver of the first streamer.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a survey source; a first streamer attached to the survey source, the first streamer having at least one survey receiver to measure near-zero offset data; and a second streamer having a length greater than the first streamer, the second streamer having survey receivers to receive survey measurement data.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one survey receiver of the first streamer is closer to the survey source than a closest survey receiver of the second streamer. 